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Glamping in Joshua Tree, California: Your Guide to Glamp Near Joshua Tree National Park

Lauren West

Welcome to our authentic, honest, expert guide to glamping in Joshua Tree, California from locals who have even run our own glampground. We ourselves are desert dwellers who live, breathe, and respect the soul of Joshua Tree, the Mojave Desert, and the art of curating a glamping experience, so we know exactly what to look for to glamp in Joshua Tree. And since we built our own glampground and lived in a glamping tent for half a year while we ran our business, we’re certainly qualified to recommend the best sites to glamp in Joshua Tree.

First, we’re going to sum up the area for anyone not from around here, as well as sharing the best time to go camping in Joshua Tree.

We’ll then recommend the best glamping near Joshua Tree National Park, whether you’re looking for glamping tent sites, yurts in the Joshua Tree area, Joshua Tree glamping bubble sites, or even RV sites.

We’ll break down what makes each of our recommendations special, the amenities they offer, and their cons. Now, let’s get this show on the road!

 

Before You Go

 

Why Share Our Expertise on Joshua Tree Glamping?

With glamping blowing up in popularity recently, and all kinds of people seeking new experiences and staycation opportunities, there’s been a surge of talk about where to stay when visiting Joshua Tree National Park.

We’ve seen so many posts going around about “Joshua Tree National Park glamping” clearly written by outsiders who know little of the area and are giving out misleading or even flat-out wrong information.

Some of the recommendations we’ve seen on other Airbnb Joshua Tree blogs are for atrocious corporate mega-camps right off noisy highways (if you’re a local, you know exactly what we’re talking about).

The pictures are meant to deceive and disguise the fact that these mega-camps are plopped beside a major intersection surrounded by tar and cement—hardly the natural, dreamy Mojave Desert glamping wonderland you’re looking for!

So let’s make this clear: this Glamping in Joshua Tree guide will be very different than that. 

We’re going to be completely honest.

While running our own desert glamping business, we ourselves lived in a glamping bell tent even through freezing winter, rain, snow, and wind storms. We’re experts in what amenities to look for and how to ensure a tent is installed properly to endure the weather.

And since we’re pros, we can plainly see who is not.

The unfortunate reality is many glampgrounds operate without a permit (or, it would seem, common sense?) and are pretty poorly put together. In our research we’ve come across some glampgrounds with tents we could clearly see were installed improperly, with hazardous bathrooms that looked like they were falling down.

We’ve hated seeing unwitting customers get taken advantage of, and so we decided it was high time we dished out the most genuine and helpful guide you’re gonna find for glamping at Joshua Tree.

 

28 Palms Ranch, Source: Booking.com

Where is Joshua Tree?

Visitors can easily get confused when looking for where to stay when visiting Joshua Tree National Park.

When people commonly refer to Joshua Tree, they’re often actually referring to the greater desert area in the Morongo Basin within reach of Joshua Tree National Park.

The Morongo Basin is a region that encompasses various areas including Yucca Valley, Landers, 29 Palms, and the small town of Joshua Tree itself.

The town of Joshua Tree is the most touristy part of the Morongo Basin. It’s a very cool town, for sure, but sometimes, if you don’t know where to look, you might end up in a tourist trap that’s pricey and busy, and not the natural vibe people tend to look for in the desert.

Since “Joshua Tree” has the famous name (thanks U2!), it has become, in practice, an umbrella term for describing glamping sites across the Morongo Basin.

In fact, the most beautiful Mojave Desert glamping sites tend to not be in the town of Joshua Tree itself, but in the neighboring sprawl, such as Yucca Valley, Landers, and 29 Palms. When we talk to people who frequent the Joshua Tree area, they always say they actually prefer staying in these 3 other towns more than the town of Joshua Tree, as that’s where you’re more likely to get that beautiful, peaceful desert experience.

 

Joshua Tree vs. Joshua Tree National Park

It can be a little confusing to people new to the area but Joshua Tree National Park is different from Joshua Tree, the town.

 

Rock formations at Joshua Tree National Park

 

Joshua Tree National Park (sometimes referred to by locals as “The Monument”) is pristine desert wilderness protected by the National Park Service to ensure the conservation of its unique ecosystem.

While you can camp in traditional tents in the park, there is NO Joshua Tree National Park glamping WITHIN the park itself.

The park is absolutely gorgeous, and it’s no wonder a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park made it on our essential Los Angeles Bucket List.

The national park has 3 main entrances: one in the town of Joshua Tree, one in 29 Palms, and another in Cottonwood, east of Indio.

This means that you can easily reach the Joshua Tree National Park from Yucca Valley, Landers, 29 Palms, and Joshua Tree, although Joshua Tree and 29 Palms are closest. So if you’re looking for where to stay when visiting Joshua Tree National Park, any of these towns are free game.

For more information about the park, check out our Joshua Tree National Park guide.

 

Side note: There are also enclaves of the national park at Black Rock in Yucca Valley, and Indian Cove in 29 Palms, which each have campgrounds and trails, but do not connect by road to the greater Joshua Tree National Park.

Indian Cove does happen to be our vote for the best campground in Joshua Tree (for traditional tent camping), for its sprawling sites and majestic rocks perfect for climbing. However, many people find it more convenient to camp within the main park. See what we mean in our vlog below.

 

Watch our experience at what we consider the best campground in Joshua Tree:

Is Joshua Tree National Park Worth It?

One thing we’ve noticed while operating our own desert glamping business is that many people who come to stay in the desert don’t even visit the national park. Instead, they get their desert experience at their glampsite and by exploring hiking trails and other sites outside of the park.

And truly, visiting the park is not necessary for everyone.

We personally adore the park for its concentration of conserved plant-life, massive rock formations, huge, glorious expanses of Joshua trees and cholla cacti—all without any building in sight. We have annual passes and visit frequently. And to us, a visit is a necessity and 100% worth it. But, not everyone feels the need to visit the park.

And indeed, you can certainly still experience some of the wonder of the Mojave Desert without going to the park itself.

 

Joshua Tree, The Tree

To make it even more confusing, “Joshua Tree” is also the name of a plant which is actually not a tree at all (you can thank the Mormons for the misnomer!).

 

The iconic Joshua tree, which is actually a yucca

 

The Joshua tree, actually a kind of yucca, is the iconic Dr. Seussian plant you see spreading its spikey and gnarled arms to the skies across the Morongo Basin.

These native Joshua trees are very slow-growing and their range is shrinking.

As such, they are now officially protected by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act. Glampground owners operating within the limits of this act should not be building within a specified range of these protected plants.

We adore Joshua trees and how they wave “hello!” to us as we drive past them. 29 Palms has fewer Joshua trees than the other 3 towns (Yucca Valley, Landers, and Joshua Tree), but you can still certainly find some beautiful natural sites there for glamping near Joshua Tree National Park.

We’ve curated a selection of glampground sites within the Morongo Basin that offer exceptional desert glamping near Joshua Tree National Park so you can experience the wonder of these furry alien hand-lookin’ “tree” things for yourself.

 

RELATED | Best Road Trips in Southern California for Couples

 

Kosmic Tortoise, Source: Booking.com

What To Do Near Joshua Tree

There’s a ton to do in the area outside of the national park while you’re glamping in Joshua Tree.

The Joshua Tree area is well known for its quirky and artsy vibe, with attractions including:

 

Kosmic Tortoise, Source: Booking.com

Best Time to Go Camping in Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree and the Morongo Basin at large are known for extreme weather, with a hot season averaging 90+ degree temps, and a winter that can drop into freezing and can even bring snow.

Winter is actually the peak season for tourism in Joshua Tree, with the coolest temperatures all year and the holidays giving people time off work. But for glamping in Joshua Tree, winter can be extreme if you’re not prepared.

We’ve listed the amenities offered by each glampground that we recommend, so be sure to look for desert glamping sites that offer heating if you plan on visiting in the winter.

Check the weather in advance and pack accordingly, as some winters are chilly and others are mild and lovely.

 

Fall and Spring

Fall and Spring are by far the best times to go camping in Joshua Tree, with beautiful weather and mild temperatures.

Springtime also brings blooming wildflowers that paint the desert in a kaleidoscope of colors. But please note: while wind storms can happen any time, spring is known as the windiest time of year.

Glamping in a wind storm can be iffy if you’re in a site that hasn’t been built properly, but we personally have never had any problems. Our tents have weathered storms with winds as fast as 70 mph+, so they’ve proven to be secure. But no matter how good a tent is built, wind is noisy and annoying, so keep that in mind.

And no matter when you visit, just go with a good attitude, and appreciate whatever level of beauty (or adventure), you’re blessed with. As we’ve amply learned over our many years of traveling, it’s all part of the journey, baby!

Now without further ado, let’s get into all these unique places to stay in Joshua Tree to get yo’ glamp on!

 

Best Joshua Tree Glamping Overall

Goat Mountain Glamping

No lies detected!

We put a MONUMENTAL deal of planning, designing, and engineering into creating glamping sites that are safe, durable, and gosh darn stunning. And ain’t no doubt about it: our glamping tents in Landers are unlike any other glampground near Joshua Tree.

Goat Mountain Glamping has 6 tents on a sprawling desert property at the foot of the majestic Goat Mountain, each with a unique vibe and a private outdoor bathroom. We don’t pick favorites (but if we did, it would be the Pink Alien 🤫).

Some tents have 1 bed, and some have 2 beds, suitable for larger groups. Each tent has heating for the cold months, and cooling for the warmer months.

Our travel experiences of “glamping” around the world helped us breathe to life a colorful oasis of beauty, comfort, and hospitality in the high desert wilderness.

From the gers of Mongolia and glamping tents of Jordan…

…to the Berber tents of the Moroccan Sahara (where we actually developed our blog name, Television of Nomads) and the Thar Desert glamping tents of India, our experiences backpacking around the world informed what we knew we wanted to do with this place.

In addition to being a good base to explore Joshua Tree National Park, Pioneertown, and the surrounding area, we’re just minutes away from the Integratron, a supposedly alien-built sound-healing dome, and Giant Rock, an ancient portal of energy spiritually significant for indigenous people and UFOlogists alike.

 

 

We’ve put our hearts, bodies, minds, and souls into creating our own little world at Goat Mountain Glamping, proudly embracing the locality while mixing in pieces of our travels and sharing it with beautiful strangers across the globe. 

Note: We are currently closed, but follow Goat Mountain Glamping on Instagram and sign up for our mailing list to stay updated and score booking discounts.

 

Expert tip: Download the free app maps.me, and load the offline maps for the area ahead of time (while you’re still connected to internet).

These maps are accessible on your phone even if you lose data while glamping in Joshua Tree (which can happen in some areas and especially in the park), No getting lost, yay!

 

Tent Glamping in Joshua Tree

The Castle House Estate

 

This glampground has been marketed up the yinyang, so you’ll find it on almost every blog boasting they know where to stay when visiting Joshua Tree National Park. But does it stand up to the expert test? Let’s get into it.

The Castle House Estate is a beautiful, highly manicured glamping site that does indeed look like a castle! True to its name, visitors to this Joshua Tree glamping site are greeted by two crenellated “guard towers” that will certainly make you feel like a princess (or prince!) when you waltz onto the compound.

The guard towers are also available as nightly rentals, making them some fabulously unique places to stay in Joshua Tree.

 

 

Beyond the towers, the Castle House Estate offers a variety of desert glamping accommodations. This includes glamping bell tents with queen beds, two shipping container homes, and even entire rental homes.

Here’s the thing: you’re either going to love or hate this place. 

If you’re looking for majestic undeveloped natural landscapes, this isn’t the spot for you. But that doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful, and this glampground definitely appeals to many people who love the manicured grounds.

While you won’t find unspoiled wilderness experience here, the Castle House Estate still offers memorable glamping near Joshua Tree National Park.

While we can’t help but be sad that they removed all the natural plant-life, they’ve planted some beautiful and exotic palm trees. The centerpiece of the property is a magnificent wood deck and small plunge pool. Definitely makes for some gorgeous shots for the ‘gram!

If you’re going glamping at Joshua Tree with the Castle House Estate, keep in mind that there’s no electricity in the tents. Everything inside of the tents is battery-powered, and there are power outlets available around the property for guest use. They also don’t offer cooling in the warm months. Portable heaters are available for a fee for colder weather.

Source: Booking.com

 

The glamping tents here are minimalist and bare-bones but have the essentials. They do not have private bathrooms.

Toilet and shower facilities are shared with other guests and located away from the tents. There is also a wood-burning sauna available for an extra charge.

No minimum stay requirement. Free cancelation up to a specified date. Pets allowed with pet cleaning fee. 

Amenities

Cons

Rates

Starting at $75+ cleaning fee & tax

Book Castle House Estate Now

 

 

 

Sunkissed Glamping

Source: Hipcamp

 

Sunkissed Glamping is a solid choice to glamp in Joshua Tree—let’s get into why!

Sunkissed is located on a 5-acre property in 29 Palms, 15 minutes from the northern entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.

We think Sunkissed is one of the best campgrounds in Joshua Tree because this beautiful property doesn’t have any neighbors— the tents here are surrounded by nothing but miles of open majestic desert.

 

Source: Hipcamp

 

This Joshua Tree glamping spot offers 9 bell tents with queen-sized memory foam mattresses and blankets for comfort. A propane heater is provided for heating, as well as solar lights and a portable charging station for small electronics.

The 9 tents share one outdoor bathroom building that has toilets and showers. There are a few shared firepits, as well as a shaded community relaxation area that features an outdoor BBQ.

 

Source: Hipcamp

 

There is one large parking area at the entrance to this Joshua Tree glamping site, and guests must walk a short distance to their tent. Wagons are provided for guests to use to bring their belongings to the tents.

Flexible cancellation up to 24 hours before date. No pets allowed. No minimum stay required. 

Amenities

Cons

Rates

Starting at $79 + tax & cleaning fee

Book Sunkissed Glamping Now

 

Yurt Glamping in Joshua Tree

28 Palms Ranch

Source: Booking.com

 

28 Palms Ranch is one of the only places in the area to experience true yurt camping in Joshua Tree.

While many other glamping tents are mistakenly described as “yurts” (yurts are actually distinct from the bell tents we discussed in the last section), 28 Palms Ranch offers guests the chance to stay in authentic yurts.

These yurts in Joshua Tree have pretty much everything you need for ultimate comfort while glamping. The yurts have electricity, air conditioning, heating, comfortable beds, private bathroom facilities, and small appliances inside for making coffee and tea.

 

Source: Booking.com

 

Yurt camping in Joshua Tree definitely stands up to the wind much better than bell tents, with sturdier walls.

Each of these Joshua Tree yurts has a private fire pit, seating area, a cooler (ice is not provided) and a BBQ grill. You can also drive up to each of these yurts in Joshua Tree and park your car right in front. Convenience, yay!

Free cancellation up to 3 days before date. Up to 2 pets welcome with extra $25 fee. No minimum stay required.

Amenities

Cons

Rates

Starting at $189 + fees

Book 28 Palms Ranch Now

 

Bubble Domes Glamping in Joshua Tree

The Kosmic Tortoise

Source: Booking.com

 

I’m obsessed with this place just for the name.

Ever wanted to stay in a Joshua Tree glamping bubble? The Kosmic Tortoise in Wonder Valley offers 2 different geodesic domes that are unique places to stay in Joshua Tree.

These Joshua Tree glamping bubbles are fully outfitted with beds, electricity, heating & cooling, small kitchens, private outdoor bathrooms, private parking, outdoor seating, fire pits, and BBQs. Not to mention the STUNNING uninterrupted views of the sunrise and sunset from inside the dome.

 

Source: Booking.com

 

Wonder Valley is the farthest out town in the Morongo Basin. It’s basically beyond the edge of civilization. Which, of course, makes it a primo choice for stargazing with some of the darkest skies in the Joshua Tree area.

While its location is amazing for UFO-spotting 👽 and for offering stunning, expansive natural views, it is further to reach if you’re coming from Los Angeles.

No smoking allowed. No pets allowed. Non-refundable for a lower rate, or free cancellation until 1 day before date.

Amenities

Cons

Rates

Starting at $154 + taxes & fees

Book Kosmic Tortoise Now

 

RV Glamping in Joshua Tree

Wonderlust Airstream

Source: Airbnb

 

This Airstream Airbnb in Joshua Tree has got you pretty darn covered for the ultimate desert glamping getaway.

The vintage Wonderlust Airstream trailer has been renovated and has all the comforts of home, including a kitchenette, bathroom, and cozy bed.

 

Source: Airbnb

 

Is it actually glamping? I don’t know, but it certainly constitutes a unique place to stay in Joshua Tree!

Airstreams are all the rage, with their iconic metal-clad bodies glimmering so audaciously in the desert sun, like trailer park diamonds.

 

Source: Airbnb

 

What really makes this a standout unique place to stay in Joshua Tree is the stunning and completely private outdoor area.

You got yourself a covered patio, outdoor dining area, BBQ, private hot tub, plunge pool, fire pit, and outdoor shower.

These are all enhanced by the world-class views reaching towards Joshua Tree National Park. This place is plenty nice for glamping at Joshua Tree, and you’ll certainly catch some killer sunrises and sunsets with that view.

Amenities

Cons

Rates

2 night minimum, prices vary but are usually $300+ per night

Book Wonderlust Airstream Now



Booking.com

 

JT Village Campground

Source: Booking.com

 

This RV campground offers 5 comfortable trailers to glamp in Joshua Tree. These no-frills RVs are a perfect choice for budget-friendly glamping in Joshua Tree with all modern comforts.

It’s giving Lana Del Rey, jean shorts, tugging on a white t-shirt with a cigarette.

 

Source: Booking.com

 

Each trailer is outfitted with a fully equipped kitchen, a TV, a private bathroom, a queen sized bed, and bunkbeds/extra beds. The trailers can accommodate up to 5 guests. Not bad for a budget friends trip for glamping in Joshua Tree!

Each site has its own outdoor fire pit and covered picnic table area. I love that firewood is provided and that some sites also have outdoor BBQ grills. So many ways to cook, oh my!

Amenities

Cons

Rates

Starting at $99/night + fees

Book JT Village Now

Joshua Tree Glamping: Final Thoughts

We came, we conquered. We served up everything you need to know for glamping in Joshua Tree, so whether you choose one of our recommendations, or you go with one off the list, you’re armed with the knowledge to make informed choices.

Now you know there isn’t actually any Joshua Tree National Park glamping, only sites to glamp NEAR Joshua Tree National Park, as the park itself only has traditional camping.

And hopefully we cleared up any confusion between a  Joshua Tree glamping yurt and a bell tent.

I’m sure that you’re well-prepared to find the best campsite in Joshua Tree (or Yucca Valley, Landers, or 29 Palms?!) for your needs. And if you have anymore questions about glamping in Joshua Tree, feel free to reach out!

 

Heading to LA next?  Check out out 5-day LA itinerary, the best places to eat in LA, the top scenic drives in LA, the best dog-friendly hikes in LA, and tips and tricks for Universal Studios Hollywood.

Also, learn about the epic West Hollywood Carnaval, and why we think LA is freaking awesome.

 

Or perhaps you’re heading to Orange County next? You can check out the new Rise of the Resistance ride at Disneyland, stay at the best hotel walking distance to Disneyland, and try luxury bowling at Downtown Disney.

 

 

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What is your favorite site for glamping near Joshua Tree National Park?

Let us know in a comment below!

 

 

 

 

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